BY MTHANDAZO NYONI THE Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) says the importation of 200 000 tonnes of grain from Zambia has started, with the first delivery expected this week.
GMAZ chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara announced in May that the association had secured 400 000 tonnes of maize imports from Zambia and Malawi, as private players sought to plug the gap in the supply of the staple.
“I can confirm that the importation of maize from Zambia has started. As we speak, trucks carrying the grain are on their way and we expect the first arrivals anytime from now,” GMAZ spokesperson Andrew Kunambura told NewsDay Business.
“At the same time, millers are purchasing locally-produced maize from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and this is very encouraging, especially now that prices have stabilised and there is no shortage whatsoever of the commodity.”
The maize scheduled to be delivered will alleviate a food crisis which, according to the World Food Programme, is threatening an estimated six million people.
Kunambura could not be drawn to discuss a similar deal they had with Malawi’s Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation.
Some middlemen, allegedly working in cahoots with top politicians, were said to be trying to frustrate the Malawi-Zimbabwe maize import deal, which has already been signed.
In February 2022, Cabinet gave private grain millers the nod to commence maize imports using free funds to beef up local stocks.
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